MFC seeking public comment on rule changes

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is accepting public comment on a slate of proposed rule changes, including the use of hook-and-line gear in the commercial striped bass fishery and electronic reporting requirements for fish dealers.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is accepting public comment on a slate of proposed rule changes, including the use of hook-and-line gear in the commercial striped bass fishery and electronic reporting requirements for fish dealers.

A public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m.on Jan. 15 at the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Washington Regional Office, 943 Washington SquareMall, Washington. Written comments are being accepted through Feb. 15.

According to a news release announcing the public comment period, the commission is proposing to remove the prohibition on the sale and purchase of striped bass taken by hook-and-line gear. This will not automatically authorize the use of hook-and-line gear in the commercial striped bass fishery, but it will permit issuance of a proclamation to allow the use of this gear in the future. Such a proclamation would follow discussions by the Marine Fisheries Commission and its advisory committees in association with review of fishery management plans, the release said.

The proposed rules also clarify that it will remain unlawful for a commercial fishing operation to possess striped bass taken from waters of the Roanoke River Management Area, which are under the jurisdiction of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

The commission is also proposing to require electronic reporting of landings from all fish dealers that report an annual average of greater than 50,000 pounds of finfish for the previous three calendar years. Electronically reported files are processed quicker than paper files, and the quicker access to data will allow fisheries managers to make more timely decisions and more efficiently monitor fisheries landings for species managed under a quota, fisheries officials said.

The commission is scheduled to vote on the proposed rules at its Feb. 27-March 1 meeting. If approved, the rules could take effect as early as May 1.

The public may submit comments in writing to Catherine Blum, rulemaking coordinator; N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries; PO Box 769; Morehead City, NC 28557; by email to Catherine.Blum@ncdenr.gov; or by fax to 252-726-0254. The public comment period will close at 5 p.m.Feb. 15.

For more information on the proposed rules, go to portal.ncdenr.org or contact Blum at 252-808-8014 or Catherine.Blum@ncdenr.gov.